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Where to eat when you crave that special dish

Jun 10th 2011

We are all creatures of habit, and often return to a specific restaurant to order a dish that makes our mouths water when we entertain thoughts of it.

With that in mind, here are some details on local places you should frequent when your brain calls out for that certain dish. Forget the restaurantâ€™s menu or listening to a long list of specials just order these dishes:

For the absolute best gnocchi Bolognese in captivity you must set your GPS to Caruso Ristorante (187 S.E. Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton, 561-367-7488) in Boca Ratonâ€™s humming Royal Palm Place. This ethereal dish will ensure your return to this quaint venue time and time again.

Over-the-top Greek food isn't hard to find in South Florida, but Taverna Kyma (6298 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton, 561-994-2828) must be added to your dance card. Tasty starters like the velvety smooth hummus and fresh pita bread, the delicious Spanakopita (baked phyllo filled with spinach and feta cheese) are perfect, but I always go for the Lavraki, a fresh whole fish wood-grilled to perfection.

Try the Cheese Course with your wine in Mizner Park (327 Plaza Real, Boca Raton, 561-395-4354). And while that's tough to beat, the sandwiches are outstanding as well. I go for the Albacore white tuna melt with Gruyere cheese with shredded carrots, extra virgin olive oil with mayo and greens. You can spend the better part of an hour searching for your favorite cheese (both hard and soft)to take home. At the same time, think of a wine that should be paired with your selection. Nice place for a quiet outdoor lunch.

For breakfast outside and on the Intercoastal, you must go to Watercolors (999 East Camino Real, Boca Raton, 561-368-9500) at the Bridge Hotel. Tasty breakfast food from a variety of Omelets to breakfast Burritoâ€™s or tasty waffles. This is a great place to take the kids and relax on a Saturday or Sunday morning.

If youâ€™re in the mood for a takeout dinner call The Cannoli Kitchen (2001 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton, 561-338 2929). I just crave their veal dished, but the Veal Parmigiani is quite good, too. Couple this with a slice of pizza margarita and you will be in hog heaven. You can view their menu online and then order at cannolikitchen.com. This restaurant has been around for many years and has some of the best Italian takeout in the area.

Tratttoria Romana (499 East Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton, 561-393-6715) is just a terrific restaurant. Chef-owner Arturo Gismondi has the reputation as one of the best operators in the Boca Raton restaurant malaise. But the dish that I die for is the baked Langostino shrimp in a garlic sauce. These tasty babies are best complimented with a glass of Chianti and a fresh Caesar Salad. Try eating at the restaurantâ€™s newly remodeled bar which is quite lively.

The Pinon Grill (The Terrace at Town Center Mall, Boca Raton, 561-391-7770) is a must stop for lovers of Southwestern fare. I dream of the wood-grilled artichokes with butter and a zesty southwest remoulade sauce. I have never tasted anything better. I always order for my main course the appetizer Crispy Crab Frittersâ€”crab with shrimp and shredded phyllo dough with a lobster ginger sauce and corn relish. Try to beat those two; they are the best!

The eggplant rollatini at Rossarioâ€™s in Royal Palm Place (145 S.E. Mizner Blvd, Boca Raton, 393-0758) is incomparable.

Arturoâ€™s (6750 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton, 561-997-7373) has a dish that I dream aboutâ€”Cannelloni. If youâ€™re a lover of this pasta dish there is none better.

Another veal dish that is at the top of my list is served at Chopâ€™s Lobster Bar (101 Plaza Real, Boca Raton, 561 395-2675). Itâ€™s none other than the Weiner Schnitzel â€œa la Holsteinâ€ a prime piece of veal topped with the tradition fried egg and served with a cucumber salad is a great diversion from the usual steak and chops menu offerings.

And lastly, if youâ€™re looking for a pig out diversion some morning, stop at Dunkinâ€™ Donuts and order a box of their donut munchies, 25 donut holes of different varieties that will being them from out of the woodwork to sample them. I brought a box in this morning and in ten minutes they were gone. Treat yourself and indulge one of these mornings. By the way, their coffee isnâ€™t bad either.